Zia could see uncertainty in his eyes. He was probably debating his next move, though ordering his men to sheath their weapons was a wise choice. She didn’t wish him to suffer needlessly. After all, he had saved her life.
“There is nothing for you to fear. They will not harm you. They are there to protect our land.”
“Our land?” Artair questioned.
“The village Black. It belongs to all of us who live there, though it is named after my family, who founded it. Believe me, Artair, we mean you and your men no harm. The village is probably grateful you rescued me.”
“How would they know? I have only rescued you today.”
He was quick-witted, though cautious and he seemed to apply sound reason to his decisions. He had realized fast enough that the only way he would be able to have what he wanted from her was to free her and he had paid handsomely for the decision. And he hadn’t hesitated in paying the coins, which made her realize how important his brother Ronan was to him.
It seemed every step he took was toward finding his brother, and she couldn’t blame him. If she had a missing sibling, she would do the same. Unfortunately, she was alone, without father or mother, but she was ever so grateful to have her grandmother.
“They keep track of my whereabouts,” she answered, not ready to admit to the odd connection between her and her grandmother.
“You give me your word that we are safe?” he asked.
Strange, but comforting, that he would accept her word. It meant he trusted her, and that pleased her.
“You have my word that no one will hurt you or your men. The sentinels protect from danger. You and your men are no danger to us. You can rest easy tonight.”
Artair signaled his men that there was no threat, and the other three men spread their blankets and sought a good night’s sleep.
He however did not, and Zia knew he intended to speak with her. She was ready. Actually, she looked forward to the discussion. Artair intrigued her. He had remained calm and in control throughout the whole ordeal in the village as if none of it had disturbed him. Even now he seemed in control and unperturbed, and she couldn’t understand why that troubled her.
His men were soon snoring around the campfire, and she and Artair were left to themselves, Nessie cuddling beside her. It didn’t take long for him to begin questioning her about Ronan.
“My brother was brought here to your village?”
She had questions of her own as she responded with a nod. “Ronan made mention of three brothers.”
“Cavan, the oldest; then there’s me; Lachlan follows; with Ronan the youngest.”
“Ronan worried about Cavan.”
“Cavan and Ronan were captured by barbarians during a battle. They were separated, and Cavan finally returned home after a year of captivity. He worries daily over Ronan’s fate,” Artair said. “He also worries about his new wife, Honora, who is to give birth in a couple of months.”
“And Lachlan? Is he wed?”
That brought a smile to Artair’s face. “Lachlan wed? Not likely. He likes women too much, as they do him.”
“Ronan missed you all, especially his father and mother.”
Artair’s joy vanished as quickly as a snuffed out candle, and Zia realized the news wasn’t good.
“Our father was murdered a few months ago, and while the culprit was caught and punished, my heart breaks to have to tell Ronan.”
“I am sorry for your loss. It must be difficult for your mother.”
“She claims she is fine, but we all see how much she misses our father. They were together many years and never tired of each other. I never heard either of them speak ill of the other. They respected and loved each other from the day they met.”
“They made a good match.”
“A perfect match, my father claimed, and urged all his sons to do the same.”
“You look for a perfect woman?” she asked, curious.
His smile returned. “There is no such thing.”
“Isn’t there?”
“No man or woman is perfect.”
Zia sighed dramatically. “When you’re in love, everything is perfect.”
“You know this from experience?”
“No, only from what I’ve been told, though I’m looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. And what of you?” she asked. “Have you known love?”
“No, duty comes before love.”
Zia’s eyes popped wide. “You would marry out of duty?”
“I almost did,” he said. “Cavan’s wife Honora was to be my bride. We even exchanged vows.”
She gasped. “What happened?”
“Cavan returned on my wedding day, but due to the marriage papers stating that Honora was to wed the next chief of the clan Sinclare, she was actually wed to Cavan and not me.”